Associated PressIn 21 starts last season, Andy Pettitte went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA -- solid numbers considering he was hampered by injuries.

Was it an accurate barometer of Andy Pettitte's future or simply a comment in need of clarification?

Yankees GM Brian Cashman turned some heads at the owners' meetings in Paradise Valley, Ariz., when he told reporters that the 38-year-old southpaw has "chosen at this stage at least not to start in 2011," the New York Daily News is reporting.

Here's the entire quote:

"I don't think he's determined if he's officially finished or not, but he's chosen at this stage at least not to start in 2011. If that ever changes he'll call us. We're not going to hound him or bother him."

Cashman then clarified his statement to add nothing has changed regarding the situation and he's still awaiting word from the pinstripe mainstay.

In 21 starts last season, Pettitte went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA -- solid numbers considering he was hampered by injuries.

If the season were to begin today, the Yankees' starting rotation would consist of just three proven commodities: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes.

Ivan Nova, a 23-year-old with 47 innings pitched on his resume, would be the favorite for the fourth spot, while the likes of Andre Brackman, Dellin Betances, Adam Warren, Hector Noesi and southpaw Manny Banuelos would vie for the final slot.